Two Stories About Flying - The Black Aeroplane - Extract Based Questions

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 Two Stories About Flying - The Black Aeroplane - Extract Based Questions

1. There wasn't a cloud in the sky. I was happy to be alone high up above the sleeping countryside.

a) Who is 'I' in this extract?

    'I' in this extract is the pilot of the Dakota plane.

b) Why is "I" describing the weather?

The pilot is describing the weather to convey that flying conditions were absolutely favourable at this time.

c) Why was he happy?

The pilot was happy because he was flying homewards for a holiday to be with his family in England.

(d) Which 'countryside' does 'I' talk about? Why does 'I' call it 'sleeping'?

The countryside is in France over which the pilot was flying his Dakota. He calls it 'sleepy' as it was 1.30 in the morning.

2.   “I ought to go back to Paris,” I thought, but I wanted to get home. I wanted that breakfast.
      ‘I’ll take the risk,’ I thought, and flew that old Dakota straight into the storm.

a) Where was the narrator's home?

    The pilot's home was in England.

b) What was the risk that the narrator decided to take?

    The pilot decided to take the risk off lying straight into the storm-clouds and cut across them.

c) What happened immediately after the narrator headed into the storm?

    His aeroplane jumped and twisted. All the equipment went dead.

3. I was very glad to see another person. He lifted one hand and waved.

a) Who was the other person?

    It was the pilot of the other flight.

b) What did he say to the narrator?

    He asked the narrator to follow him.

c) Did the narrator do what the other person said?

    Yes, the pilot followed the other flight.

d) What was the narrator's feeling towards the other person?

    The narrator was grateful.

4. I went and asked a woman in the control centre where I was and who the other pilot was. I wanted to say 'Thank you!'

a) Who are I and the 'woman' in the above extract?

    'I' is the pilot of the Dacota flight. 'Woman' is the lady at the control centre of the airport.

b) Which other pilot is the speaker talking about?

    The speaker is taking about the mysterious pilot of the black aeroplane who appeared suddenly by his side inside the storm clouds and guided him to safety.

c) What did the woman have to say about the other pilot?

She did not see any other aeroplane on the radar.